Rapid Vienna carry a four-match winning streak into this second leg, having averaged over three goals per game in the Conference League. Heart of Midlothian salvaged a 2-2 draw at Tynecastle but their travel sickness is alarming: three away losses this season with 12 goals conced…
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Sign inRapid Vienna and Heart of Midlothian meet in the second leg of their UEFA Conference League play-off on Wednesday after a pulsating 2-2 draw at Tynecastle last week left the tie in the balance. Hearts twice came from behind in the first leg and now travel to the Austrian capital knowing a win will secure a place in the league phase, while the hosts will back themselves to finish the job at home.
Hearts looked to be heading out of the competition when Serge-Philippe Raux-Yao powered Rapid ahead on 30 minutes, but Wouter Vrancken’s side responded after the break. Josh McPake forced an equaliser on 56 minutes and substitute James Wilson produced a stunning 30-yard strike six minutes later to send Tynecastle into a frenzy. The visitors struck late, however, as Nikolaus Wurmbrand fired through Beau Reus on 79 minutes after good work from Seidl and substitute Nico Bajlicz, leaving the clubs with everything to play for in the return.
Vrancken made three changes to his European squad for this round, introducing new goalkeeper Kieran Wright, Christian Borchgrevink and Rogers Mato. Zander Clark remains sidelined through injury, while Alexandros Kyziridis was sold to Corum FK. Harry Milne and Laurent Mendy have been included in the 22-man selection despite being withdrawn at half-time of the Benfica first leg and are doubts; Vrancken said both will be assessed in the days leading up to the second leg. Mato and Borchgrevink each scored their first Hearts goals in the 6-2 win over Inverness and will carry confidence into this decider.
Johannes Hoff Thorup’s side arrived at Tynecastle as Austrian league leaders and demonstrated their attacking intent with Raux-Yao’s headed opener and a clinical late response. Wurmbrand’s impact off the bench proved decisive, while Seidl’s creativity caused constant problems. Rapid out-shot Hearts in terms of conversion rate, managing nine attempts to the hosts’ 17 but finding the net with two of their four on-target efforts. They will look to control possession in the home leg and exploit any space behind a Hearts backline that has conceded five goals in two European away trips this qualifying campaign.
McPake was Hearts’ stand-out performer in the first leg, constantly driving at defenders and scoring the equaliser that changed the momentum. His direct running will be essential if the visitors are to trouble Rapid on the break, especially with Claudio Braga and James Wilson likely to be used as impact options. Rapid’s central defenders must deal with McPake’s acceleration in wide areas and prevent the cutbacks that led to two goals at Tynecastle.
A spot in the Conference League league phase is worth an estimated £5 million to Hearts and would extend their European journey until Christmas. The winners of this tie enter the group stage draw, while the losers drop into the domestic calendar with a sense of what might have been. Rapid will hope to mark their return to continental competition with a statement performance; Hearts already know they can match their opponents and will carry the memory of Wilson’s spectacular strike into the decisive 90 minutes.
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